Get Counting with 24 Action Words for Kids

Go ahead — Jump! Smile! Laugh! 

Just be sure you do it 10 times if you want the points. 🧮  

Through this engaging verbs exercise, students will read and perform action words. Players take turns choosing cards until all players have completed 100 actions, including:

jumps smiles  knocks laughs spins waves barks meows

nods claps climbs hops jumping jacks toe touches kicks punches

high fives dances throws breaths write 10 words read 10 words say 10 nouns say 10 letters

Scaffolding + Extension Tips 

If students need help with counting, use a visual reminder of the correct order of numbers, such as a hundreds board displayed in the classroom or on their desk plate.

Challenge fast finishers who already understand the concept to create their own task card with a new action verb to act out 10 times. 

Plus 3 More Action Card Activities!

We created this resource as an independent activity. We also suggest using it to reinforce your small group and full-class lessons in the following ways: 

🔍 Scavenger Hunt

Hide all cards around the room when your students are not around. Pair up students into teams and set them loose. As soon as they find a card, they do the action, leave it in the same spot they found it, and then set off to find the others. (Note: You may want to make a rule of only one student/team at a time per card. If not, things could get a little crazy!)

🎭 Charades

Divide your class or small group into two teams. Teams will take turns sending up one student at a time to act out the card for their team while you keep score and hand the cards to the players. If their team guesses correctly, everyone does the action, and the team gets to keep the card. The first team to get 10 cards wins!  

🧠 Memory Match

Bonus points for this version of the game as it helps students with their memorisation skills! Print two sets of cards. Students will shuffle the cards and lay them all face down in equal rows. Each player takes their turn flipping two cards to find a matching set. When they find a match, they do the action 10 times, and set the cards aside to keep score. The first one to make it to 100 (10 pairs) wins!

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Print on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

To keep the task cards out of pockets or under desks, punch a hole in the corner of each to place them on a binder ring. 

Before You Download

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or Google Slides version of this resource. 

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This resource was created by Lindsey Phillips, a Teach Starter Collaborator. 

Practice more verbs, like celebrating your 100th day of school!